As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of what Blessed Solanus Casey, an American priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, encouraged us to do: “Thank God ahead of time.” Trusting that God has our good at the center of all that he does or permits enables us to let go and let God take care of every situation and with thanksgiving, take all our petitions to him. 

October is Respect Life Month. During this month, let us contemplate how precious life is—a gift from God that needs to be respected, protected, and valued from conception to natural death. Life is always sacred; however, a child’s life is especially sacred because of the child’s defenselessness. We see the status that Jesus gives children clearly in the Gospels.

We are people of faith. The Holy Spirit is guiding us and we must listen to His inspirations and cooperate with His directions. This conviction motivated me to embark on a journey of discernment together with the “many voices” present in the diocese to form a Pastoral Plan for the diocese.